Information from people often initiates an investigation and sets the foundation and direction for everything that follows. Information is the lifeblood of criminal investigations, yet true and accurate recall of information from people is difficult to achieve. In fact, 75% of wrongfully convicted people, convicted of crimes they didn’t commit, were based upon faulty eyewitness information!Cognitive Interviewing is an investigative interviewing technique that provides greater and more accurate recall of information from victims and witnesses of crimes. This 3-Day training course utilizes class instruction, group exercises and individual practice and application of the techniques learned which greatly improves the ability of investigators to conduct effective information-gathering interviews. Understanding how memory works will not only allow the investigator to gather more accurate information from victims and witnesses, it will also help to shed light on information that is NOT coming from memory and thus, may be deceptive or unreliable. Cognitive Interviewing is one of the most highly researched methods of investigative interviewing drawing international support from the academic community as well as investigators within the field. Students will learn the strengths and weaknesses of human memory, and in so doing, learn techniques to maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses. This interactive training program focuses on effective communication and powerful interviewing techniques and strategies to enhance memory and recall from victims and witnesses. This training will develop essential skills for patrol, first responders and investigators. Detectives working “cold cases” may find these skills especially helpful as memory can degrade over time.

*Registration for this course will be through the South Dakota Attorney General's office.

All Dates

OUR PURPOSE AND VALUES

Our primary purpose is to enhance the investigator's ability to develop rapport, facilitate communication, extract more accurate information, detect deception and obtain the TRUTH from every investigative inquiry.